A former Swindon councillor is accused of committing grievous bodily harm and coercively controlling his ex-partner.

Oliver Donachie, of St Austell Way, is charged with wounding or inflicting GBH on a woman without intent on February 6, 2023.

The 47-year-old also faces one charge of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship.

It is alleged that between December 29, 2015, and February 8, 2023, he fitted cameras and a fingerprint lock around his house, and took away his then-partner's keys, bank cards, and mobile phone while they lived together.

The defendant appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning wearing a black suit, white shirt, and black tie.

He spoke to confirm his details, clarify the pronunciation of his surname, and plead not guilty to both charges.

Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, said police were contacted to attend the hospital on February 7 of last year because a female patient had significant injuries after a domestic-related incident.

He said these included an injury to her head - which was described as swollen and tender - a cut behind her ear, and a bruised left eye.

Mr Ballinger added: “She disclosed to police that she had been assaulted by her partner. She had been struck a number of times.

”She also disclosed a pattern of behaviour over a number of years.

”All her money is dealt with by him.

"At times, she has been locked in the house, a safe which needs fingerprints to unlock had hers taken off it, and there have been previous incidents of violence.”

The couple are no longer in a relationship.

Donachie has been released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at Swindon Crown Court on April 5.

He was Swindon Borough Council's cabinet member for economy and place during the previous Conservative administration until he resigned in May 2020 during a row over how the local authority was responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

Later that year, in September, he proposed and then withdrew a vote of no confidence against the council’s then-leader David Renard and was heavily critical of him despite having nominated him during the leadership election before resigning.

Donachie then ran as an independent candidate in the 2021 local elections before losing his seat on the council.